AP Environmental Science

ECOSYSTEMS

Definition:An ecosystem (stands for ecological system) represents both the abiotic factors combined with the biotic factors. The key to understanding ecosystems is that it is a system -- all of the parts are interacting and interconnected and function as a whole. These interactions are dynamic, if the ecosystem falls out of balance, it can fail (change in structure and shape).

ORGANIZATION

There are different levels of organization within different environments (begins very limited and progresses inclusively).

1) Individual (one organism from one species)

2) Population (all the organisms from the same species within a certain area)